Here at STAT BOX STORIES we’re hoping everyone had a Merry Christmas yesterday and got to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones to enjoy the season. Today it’s back to business as Jeremy Etters–better known as psusnoop–takes control of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the Missouri Tigers in the 2011 Advocare V100 Independence Bowl for the BOWL BLITZ INVITATIONAL.

With Christmas yesterday I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday Season!

On today, December 26th, 2011, the Bowl sSeason starts off again with the Advocare V100 Independence Bowl game with a pair of 7-5 teams; Missouri versus North Carolina. Each team has faced a lot of emotions this year with Missouri leaving the Big XII for the SEC in 2012 and UNC facing certain infractions from the NCAA going forward. UNC also has made coaching changes as well.

I chose to play with UNC as I’ve always enjoyed their basketball program and figured that was enough of a tie to the program to choose them. As with most of my games lately, I lost the coin toss and got the rock to start the game. The game started with a really quick 3 and out and a punt. Missouri would get the punt and sophomore QB#1 would quickly make an statement that he was going to be a big big factor in this game. After a couple of quick first downs QB#1 scrambled for a 30yd gain on a key 3rd and 4. After a HB dive that generated a couple of yards QB#1 was faced with a 2nd and 8. Taking the snap and dropping back he quickly seen zone coverage and didn’t hesitate to take the ball straight up the field for an 18yd TD rush.

Next up QB#2 for UNC led just a text book drive that went 9 plays 81yds and was capped by a very nice 4yd TD pass from QB#2 to TE#89.

Missouri came back and really started to spread out UNC’s defense by running no huddle and running 5 wide trying to keep UNC’s defense off balance and tired. Missouri appeared to be stopped but when faced with a 4th and 2 at UNC’s 49yd line Missouri QB#1 came strolling back from the sidelines. UNC coaching staff was very slow to get a play called and burnt a timeout to talk things over. After the timeout Missouri converted the 4th down easily on a counter play that left a gaping hole over the right side of the line. QB#1 would throw his first of three TD’s on the day when he hit WR#5 in the back of the endzone to take a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

UNC would continue to struggle on third downs which would quickly become the theme of the day as the Missouri defense really came out to make a statement. After a few quick 3 and outs by UNC and a 53yd missed FG by Missouri kicker #95 Missouri would strike again on a very fast 3 play 84yd drive to take a 21-7 lead. The TD pass from QB#1 to WR#29 was just a thing of beauty. When #29 quickly got behind my defender the decision was an easy one as UNC was running zero blitz had had no help on the backside.

Up 21-7 UNC was quickly finding itself in a tough spot. Unable to convert 3rd downs and unable to contain the talented QB#1 from Missouri the coaching staff at UNC tried to open things up as QB#2 hit TE#89 on a corner route for a 54yd TD to bring the game back to within 1 score 21-14. Missouri though just kept piling it on the UNC defense as QB#1 hit WR#29 for his 2nd TD of the game from 8yds out and a 28-14 lead at the half.

The second half was a complete opposite for Missourias UNC’s defense came out inspired to not go out like this and played some really good ball the second half. QB#1 from Missouriwas 22-26 261yds 3TD’s in the first half but in the second half only went 4-12 73yds 0TD 1INT and was sacked numerous times as the defense played better contain. The third quarter ended with neither team scoring and it was 28-14 heading into the 4th.

The struggles for both teams would continue the whole way through the 4th but with time ticking down CB#4 for UNC made a huge play and intercepted the pass from QB#1 and returned it 81yds for the TD. 28-21 now and we finally have a ball game.

UNC’s defense would play tough and give the offense a couple of shots at tying the game but with 2:06 remaining and facing a 3rd and 7 at the 35yd line the Missouri defense would come up big and hold. The staff for UNC decided to punt and rely on a defense that had been playing outstanding the whole second half. With 3 timeouts and pinning Missouri at the 12yd line the defense came out hyped, maybe a little too hyped as Missouri ran a draw on first down for a 8yd gain and you could almost feel the air in the balloon getting popped. Missouri would get the first down and then another one to seal the game and bowl win for Missouri. 28-21 final.

After the short break for Christmas weekend, both real-life Bowl Games and the BOWL BLITZ INVITATIONAL are back and in good shape to entertain as we continue on towards the January 9th rematch between Alabama and LSU for the BCS National Championship. Be sure to keep coming back for more action here at STAT BOX STORIES as we continue to play the games in NCAA Football 12!

Guest Author Bio:

Jeremy Etters (PSN ID: psusnoop) is a long time NCAA Football series “crazy” fan. He is one of the few and proud who scrambles around trying to get a copy of the game before the release date every year. Jeremy enjoys NCAA Football, NHL, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Madden NFL, and lately a lot of Battlefield 3. He is also on Twitter @psusnoop though he mainly just follows @JBHuskers to see if he is going to Target today or not.